The time marker At the same time means during the time of the rebuilding. At that very time the Persian officials of the province came to check what authority the Jews had to build the Temple. A Babylonian document indicates that Tattenai was newly appointed as governor of the province Beyond the River in the time of King Darius and was an assistant to the satrap for Babylon and the province Beyond the River. The Aramaic word used here for governor is always used for the Persian governors in Ezra and occasionally used for the Jewish governors of Judah and Jerusalem.

Shetharbozenai was a Persian official who is unknown except in this episode. He may have been Tattenai’s secretary or assistant (so Contemporary English Version). Revised Standard Version writes his name as a single word as in the Septuagint, while Good News Translation writes it as two separate names as in MT. Translators should transliterate the name according to the model they have chosen.

Their associates: These were “their fellow officials” as Good News Translation says. In verse 6 below and 6.6, they are referred to as “governors” by Revised Standard Version and as “inspectors” of the king by Revised English Bible.

Came to them: The Aramaic verb here usually means “to come,” but some versions have translated it as the verb “to go.” It will be necessary for translators in many languages to determine the perspective from which this should expressed. Is the reader to see the Persian authorities coming to the Jews (New English Bible, Chouraqui, Bible de Jérusalem, New Jerusalem Bible, Nouvelle version Segond révisée) or going to the Jews (Contemporary English Version, New International Version)? Good News Translation says “came to Jerusalem” and Contemporary English Version says “went to Jerusalem,” because it can be assumed that the Jews were in Jerusalem working on the Temple (see verse 8 below). From the preceding verses it is apparent that the author’s perspective is from within Jerusalem. In that case, came is to be preferred here. However, it may not be necessary to make the location explicit here since the text only says came to them.

Spoke to them thus: The speech that is reported here and in the next verse is composed of two questions. They are presented in the form of direct speech, that is, in the very words that were spoken, although no individual speaker is identified. This is a precise and emphatic form of reporting speech and it should be retained in translation if possible.

The questions by the officials do not seem to be hostile but seem to indicate that they are simply doing their duty. Good News Translation “demanded” implies that the questions were asked with authority and perhaps with hostility. It would be preferable to use a more neutral verb such as “asked” or “inquired.”

Who gave you a decree…?: This first question about the decree is asking who gave authority for the work of rebuilding the Temple. The Aramaic word for decree is the same word that has been translated both as “decree” and “order” by New Revised Standard Version in Ezra 4.19, 21. Here it could be “authorization” (similarly New International Version) or “permission” (Bible de Jérusalem).

To build this house and to finish this structure: These two infinitive clauses are an example of the repetition of similar ideas. They are parallel clauses that express precision and emphasis. It is possible that the repetition is a sign of official style.

As has happened many times before in the narrative, the building of the Temple is referred to as a house (see Ezra 1.2). Good News Translation translates it as “Temple,” which is accurate, but changes the expression of the original text that varies between using “house” and “Temple.” See Ezra 3.6.

The structure refers to the Temple, just as the house does. The verb finish is the same one that has been used for completing the walls (see the comment at Ezra 4.12). According to verse 8 below, the “timber is laid in the walls,” so some work had already been done at this point in time. The word translated structure is used for woodwork that lines interior walls (see 1 Kgs 6.14-18) or for beams laid on stone walls for roofing or ceilings as in verse 8. Traduction œcuménique de la Bible calls it “timbers.” There is a second interpretation of the Aramaic word translated as structure. Instead of referring to the structure of the building itself, it may refer to the furnishings of the building. It is in this sense that Good News Translation has translated finish this structure as “equip it.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “complete its furnishings” (also Revised English Bible).

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Ezra. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .